Week 2 Start ‘Em or Sit ‘Em?

Start

Here are some guys that have good matchups this week that should be able to put up a solid fantasy day for you in Week 2 if their team chooses to exploit that matchup. Always start your studs, but here some matchups you might want to exploit to give you a bit more confidence in the guy you have in your lineup.

Larry Fitzgerald

Fitzgerald should see Nate Hairston (PFF rated 49.4) in the slot, who couldn’t cover Cooper Kupp last week. The talent level has grown since last week, and Hairston will have a lot to deal with on Sunday. John Brown is out this week, so more targets for Fitzgerald. The Colts can’t stop anybody, and things should improve this week against them.

Tyreek Hill

With Ronald Darby out, there are no defensive backs left who will be able to cover Tyreek the Freak. He’ll mostly see Jalen Mills (PFF rated 36.1), but even while he moves around in the formation, Patrick Robinson and Malcolm Jenkins aren’t going to be able to stop him either at home.

Alshon Jeffery

Don’t worry about Marcus Peters. He doesn’t shadow, and Jeffery runs most of his routes from the opposite side of the field. I expect the Eagles to try and catch up in this game, so it’s a positive game script for Jeffery. Last week, Norman didn’t cover him as much as we thought he would either, so hopefully Jeffery gets a bit more involved this week.

Kelvin Benjamin

Benjamin will have a 7-inch height advantage over the 5’10” E.J. Gaines (PFF rated 40.3), and I expect Cam to target him early and often. Jermaine Kearse was able to do some work against Gaines last week, so if this game doesn’t turn into a blowout too quickly, Benjamin can have a nice game.

Dez Bryant

It’s always tough to start WRs against the Broncos, but Aqib Talib likely won’t shadow, and if that’s the case, he plays the opposite side Bryant usually runs routes from. Bryant will see a lot of Bradley Roby (PFF rated 55.0 in 2016), and Tyrell Williams was able to take advantage of that matchup on Monday night. With a year full of tough CB matchups for Bryant, this might be a good one to start him in.

Emmanuel Sanders

Sanders will likely see the weak link of the Cowboys secondary in Nolan Carroll (PFF rated 47.7 in 2016). Demaryius Thomas and Bennie Fowler have tougher matchups, so hopefully the game plan is to exploit the matchup with Carroll and let set Sanders see a majority of the targets in this game at home.

Marqise Lee

Lee has the better matchup between him and Allen Hurns this week. Lee is going up against Adoree’ Jackson (PFF rated 37.9), and with Allen Robinson out for the year, this can be a good start for what can be a breakout year for Lee. We saw Lee was startable last year in PPR leagues while Robinson was on the field, but those targets to Robinson need to go somewhere, and this week Lee should see a majority of them.

Cooper Kupp

Kupp had a nice game for himself out of the slot in Week 1, and he has a chance of replicating his success this week against Kendall Fuller (PFF rated 48.5). Nelson Agholor exploited this matchup last week, so Kupp should continue to get looks from Jared Goff.

Jarvis Landry

Jason Verrett and Casey Hayward rarely go into the slot, and they will likely shadow Kenny Stills and Jay Cutler’s favorite receiver, DeVante Parker. Those tough matchups on the outside leaves Landry was a plus matchup going up against Trevor Williams (PFF rated 45.1). Kenny Fowler was able to put up two touchdowns out of the slot, so hopefully Cutler realizes that and sends those targets Landry’s way on Sunday.

Chris Hogan

Danny Amendola now has a knee injury on top of his concussion that he suffered last week. He didn’t practice all week, and will likely be out for this shootout against the Saints. Hogan ran most of his routes of the slot once Amendola left the game, and will see a lot of P.J. Williams. The Saints couldn’t stop anyone last week, and we saw what Thielen did out of the slot. It’s always tough figuring out where the fantasy production will come from in this Patriots’ offense, but this is the week Hogan can shine in a game that has a projected total of 56 points.

Desean Jackson

Jackson should see a lot of Marcus Cooper (PFF rated 41.4 in 2016), so he has a good chance of catching one deep this week. Winston loves going deep, and with an actual deep threat in Jackson. We saw Austin Hooper get deep a couple of times, so if a tight end can do it, D-Jax can as well. Keep in mind that Jackson is a ceiling play.

Marshawn Lynch

The Raiders are 14 point favorites at home, and the game script has Lynch written all over it. Lynch could possibly have 25 carries in this game, with the Raiders going up early, the Jets turning the ball over while trying to force their way back in the game, and Lynch pounding out the clock. I would be surprised if he doesn’t get a goal line touchdown or two in this game.

Terrance West

The Ravens are 8-point favorites at home, so I expect him to have 20+ carries in this game, and hope for some goal line touches as well. The 4th quarter should provide you with a good amount of opportunity.

Jonathan Stewart

The Bills shouldn’t be able to keep up with the Panthers, and Stewart should be involved throughout, and since the Panthers are 7-point favorites at home, he’s someone who should get the opportunity to run the clock out in the 4th quarter. Cam Newton didn’t seem like he wanted to run in Week 1, so Stewart should see similar touch numbers, along with goal line carries to protect Newton’s shoulder.

Kerwynn Williams

This might be the only time I ever suggest starting Williams, but against the Colts, go right ahead. Not only is it a good matchup, but the Cardinals should be up a few scores in this one, and are 7 point favorites. With their defense not allowing much to the Colts, expect there not to be much of a need to pass in the second half. He would be the choice for goal line carries as well if the opportunity presents itself.

Sit

If you’re going to sit any of the following guys, make sure you have a solid replacement. If you’re taking a shot in the dark on someone, it’s better to play these guys because they’re still going to be on the field and will still have some opportunity to succeed and provide you with fantasy points.

Marvin Jones and Golden Tate

These two will probably see Janoris Jenkins (PFF rated 85.8) and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (PFF rated 89.1). This Giants defense is going to be tough to play against at home, and Stafford is going to need to look elsewhere to move the ball.

TY Hilton

Not only is Andrew Luck out, but Hilton will be shadowed by Patrick Peterson. Doesn’t look like a recipe for success. Find a better option.

Allen Hurns

You might have picked him up off of waivers this week, but he should see a lot of Logan Ryan (PFF rated 82.0) this week. With Marqise Lee having a much better matchup, Hurns might not have enough of the target share for decent fantasy production this week.

DeVante Parker

Parker will likely be shadowed by Casey Hayward (PFF rated 87.3) this week, so there is a chance he gets shut down. Cutler probably won’t care, so he might see some targets and have a chance, but the odds aren’t in his favor.

Corey Davis and Rishard Matthews

Jalen Ramsey and A.J. Bouye are no guys you want to mess with on the outside. It’s possible that Ramsey is out for this game, and if he is, Rishard Matthews gets a huge boost since he usually plays on that side of the field. Since these guys move around a bit, Davis will see a slight bump as well. Pay attention to Ramsey’s status to see if he practices Friday. If he doesn’t, I wouldn’t mind throwing Matthews into my lineup.

Terrelle Pryor and Jamison Crowder

Pryor will see a lot of Trumaine Johnson (PFF rated 81.8), and Crowder will see Nickell Robey-Coleman (PFF rated 82.3) in the slot. Playing across the country in LA isn’t going to help, and Kirk Cousins will likely have to find other places to throw the ball. Pryor usually has a height advantage over most corners, but only has a 2″ advantage of the 6’2″ Johnson. Pryor is not a must-sit for me, but I am not expecting major production from him this week.

Frank Gore

I don’t expect the Colts to be able to run against the Cardinals. Since the Colts are going to be down most of the game, my guess is that Gore wouldn’t be the primary choice for them to be the one coming out of the backfield to catch passes. I could see Marlon Mack and Robert Turbin getting their opportunities in the comeback attempt. This is a game to avoid with no Andrew Luck, and the Colts defense not being able to stop Arizona.